NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 17, 2021
JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Office of Child Nutrition (OCN) is seeking sponsors to operate the 2022 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) throughout the state. The federally funded program provides nutritious meals to school-age children (0-18 years) during the summer months. Meals and snacks are served to children in places such as schools, churches, playgrounds, libraries and parks.
Organizations interested in feeding children nutritious meals during the summer and ending food insecurity in Mississippi are invited to attend one of four SFSP “Squash” informational sessions in January 2022. These sessions will provide details and answer questions about the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Summer Feeding Program. These hands-on sessions will also provide examples of quality and nutritious meals that can be served to children in Mississippi.
Public or private nonprofit schools, units of local, municipal, county or state government, residential summer camps and public or private nonprofit organizations may qualify as sponsors of the SFSP. To be eligible, potential sponsors must: (1) provide proof the organization is financially and administratively capable of operating the program; (2) provide continuous community service throughout the year; and (3) serve meals on a regular schedule to children or provide meals as part of an organized program for enrolled children at camps.
Squash Informational Sessions (location details TBA):
- Wednesday, January 12, 2022 – Indianola, Mississippi
- Thursday, January 13, 2022 – Tupelo, Mississippi
- Wednesday, January 19, 2022 – Pearl, Mississippi
- Thursday, January 20, 2022 – Hattiesburg, Mississippi
To register for one of the informational sessions, potential sponsoring organizations should email April D. Catchings, Director of Training & Program Outreach, at acatchings@mdek12.org. For questions, contact Susie Evans-Gator, SFSP Director, at susie.evans@mdek12.org MDE/OCN, P.O. Box 771, Jackson, MS 39205, or (601) 576-5000.
Find additional information about the SFSP on the USDA website: www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program.
Non-Discrimination Statement:
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.
Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by mail, fax or email:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
Fax: (202) 690-7442
Email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
